Evaporust and Steel Wheels

[MaxBobcat]

Trying to clean up a pair of old steel wheels right now and I've read some posts where @Dale Benson and @zavod44  both got good results using evaporust on old wheels, but I don't know their exact technique.

The wheels I have are pretty rusty, but I can still see the white walls underneath the rust.

If I soak the whole thing in the evaporust:
1) Will it do anything to the rubber tread?
2) Will it strip the original paint (whitewalls)?

Anybody know?  Thanks.

[Stu Clary]

I use naval jelly.  I'd say it works pretty good, with little to no scrubbing: 

[Dale Benson]

...
If I soak the whole thing in the evaporust:
1) Will it do anything to the rubber tread?
2) Will it strip the original paint (whitewalls)?

I soaked the entire wheel with the rubber tread still on. The rubber treads were very badly dried out and one of them was cracked all the way through but the solution didn't seem to negatively effect them in any way. The original white paint came off only in places where the rust had crept under it. The solution converts the rust into (?something else? :-)) that ends up as a sludge on the bottom of the container. So, in answer to your question, the solution does not strip the paint (white or black) but the paint will fall away if rust has formed under it. But if you want to remove the rust there is no way around this - regardless of what product or method you use.

I also learned that it's a good idea to make every effort to get the solution out from inside the wheel when your finished. Rinse it thoroughly and lay it down so that all the liquid can drain out. Stick something into the hole to soak up any remaining liquid. Maybe even shoot some compressed air in a can into it. Not that the solution will do harm to the inside of the wheel, but because it will slowly leak out and stain whatever is underneath it.

[MaxBobcat]

Thanks Dale!  Just the answer I was hoping for. 

[zavod44]

I agree 100% I couldn't have said it better.  Plus it's non toxic, a lot of those other products are caustic and our toxic.  You don't scrub anything and you can reuse it until it doesn't work anymore so it's good for a few go arounds...

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[MacEggs]

According to @glrasmussen, he uses this stuff and he likes it.




This was less than a minute each wheel. Toothbrush and rinse.